Sport

Speedy Slater sparkles at Midland Cross Country Championships

LEE Slater produced another storming run for Dudley and Stourbridge Harriers at the Midland Counties Cross Country Championships which were staged on a mud-bath of a course at Leamington Spa.

Speedy Slater underlined his rising talent in a high quality field which included runners from Notts AC, Leicester, Bristol and West along with some of the more local heavyweights from Tipton Harriers, Birchfield Harriers, Wolverhampton and Bilston and Coventry Godiva.

In a field of almost 370, Slater stormed round to finish 22nd in a time of 42mins 25secs.

Dave Ratcliffe continued his close battle with Dave Nation, Ratcliffe claiming 95th place with Nation 99th, Ratcliffe clocking 47-04, which was just six seconds ahead of his DASH club rival.

Veteran Paul Waby showed a pleasing return to form after illness finishing 113th in 48-09.

Grace Slater came a creditable 95th in the Under-13 girls race, while Elliot Jones enjoyed an excellent run to finish 38th in the Under-15 boys contest with Jay Priantoro coming home in 90th spot.

DUDLEY KINGSWINFORD Running Club were also well represented at Leamington and found the going equally tough on a course that steadily deteriorated as the afternoon of racing progressed.

Runners had to contend with thunder, lightening, driving rain and hail along with a bottomless course and a tricky stream crossing, churned up by previous events.

Recent Birmingham League winner Ben Foster again spearheaded the DK challenge coming home in 79th place.

He was chased home by Andy Sprague who came 117th ahead of Kevin Duckworth in 159th spot, while Richard Bate was close behind in 166th place.

Daren Thomson was the next DK runner home in 199th position ahead of Rob Sannwald who was 235th, with Keith Bate 246th, Richard Jones 249th and Mark Homer who completed the DK charge in 302nd spot.

As a result the DK’s were placed 20th team overall from the 34 competing clubs.